Centre for Ecology and Conservation

Welcome from the Centre Director

In an age where our environment is changing faster than our understanding of the effects of this change, the Centre for Ecology and Conservation prides itself on cutting-edge teaching and research designed to address the factors that influence biodiversity and complexity in the natural world. We offer several degrees, with undergraduate curricula in Animal Behaviour, Conservation Biology and Ecology, Environmental Science, Evolutionary Biology, and Zoology. We offer three MSc degrees: Conservation Biology and Ecology, Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology, and Applied Ecology. We have a vibrant PhD programme with particular strengths in behaviour, conservation biology, population and community ecology, and evolutionary genetics. All our teaching is focused around understanding how basic hypothesis-driven research underpins our understanding of science, developing communication skills, and fostering critical thinking and evaluation of evidence.

The Centre resides on the Cornwall Campus of the University of Exeter, surrounded by areas known for their natural beauty. Research in the Centre focuses on this local biodiversity, with studies of evolution, behaviour, ecology and conservation in natural, agricultural, marine, or urban systems. Our research is also carried out at sites worldwide, with researchers studying species around the world, from Australia to Africa, Europe to North America. Studies range from molecular analyses to field experiments. UK research councils, the European Union, charities and government organisations from around the world fund our work.

The hallmark of the Centre is an interactive, dynamic and welcoming group of internationally known researchers. Our enthusiasm and passion for our areas of study and the respect we have for diverse approaches to understanding our natural world has led to rapid growth and success since the Centre was established in 2003. Although our history is short, we are continuing to develop and grow. Our goal is to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the UK and world through an understanding of how our natural environment has evolved, and will evolve in the future. To this end, the Centre will continue to contribute to Cornwall, the UK, and the world by providing cutting-edge teaching and research in evolutionary biology, basic and applied ecology, and conservation.

I am proud to serve as Director, and we look forward to welcoming you should you contact or visit our Centre.

David Hosken

Professor of Evolutionary Biology
Director, Centre for Ecology and Conservation

Find out more information on how to find us in Cornwall.